A recent column by a mental health expert discusses how disordered eating can be a symptom of trauma resulting from coercive control within intimate relationships. The expert described a fictional client, Ali, who initially sought therapy for disordered eating, including restricted eating and excessive exercise.
During therapy, it was observed that Ali's assumptions about eating, body shape, and weight coincided with the beginning of her relationship with her ex-partner. Her ex-partner reportedly encouraged her to exercise, expressed anger if she ate carbohydrates, and created a couples' meal plan. Other forms of control included encouraging her to dress in a specific way, jealousy, monitoring her bank transactions, and disrupting her social life.
The therapist noted that Ali's eating stabilised after she recognised the pattern of coercive control. The control mechanisms, including those related to food, were seen as ways her ex-partner began to shape her body and personality. The column highlights that coercive control can be subtle and may involve repeated behaviours, leading to psychological harm, poor self-esteem, and anxiety for victims.
Therapy for Ali involved understanding coercive control, challenging distorted beliefs, and adapting techniques to address trauma and anxiety. The process also focused on identifying characteristics of healthy relationships to help her date with more confidence.